Thermal container

ABSTRACT

A container is provided. The container has a cover that remains thermally, sealingly engaged with the container during the filling and dispensing of the container, and has filling and dispensing channels that are thermally sealed when not in use.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application and claims priority toU.S. application Ser. No. 10/337,953, filed Jan. 7, 2003, which claimspriority in co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/347,309,filed Jan. 10, 2002 and co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/367,137, filed Mar. 22, 2002, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to one or more containers. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to one or more thermallyinsulated containers.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Automatic drip brewing devices are known in the art. These devicesrequire an open passage that allows the brewed beverage to flow from thebrewing device to the container and an open passage for dispensing thebrewed beverage from the container. However, the open passage alsoallows unwanted heat loss, typically by steam passing back through theopen passage.

The present invention relates to an improved container thatsubstantially eliminates heat loss through the open passage. The presentinvention provides a container with a cover that remains thermally,sealingly engaged with the container during the filling and dispensingof the container, and provides for filling and dispensing channels thatare thermally sealed when not in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such acontainer that is thermally insulated.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide such acontainer that has a cover that is thermally, sealingly engaged andremains on the container.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such acontainer that allows filling and dispensing of a substance withoutremoval of the cover.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide acontainer that substantially eliminates heat loss by allowing thefilling and dispensing of the container through filling and dispensingchannels that are thermally sealed when not in use.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention areachieved by a container having a lid that remains thermally, sealinglyengaged with the container during the filling and dispensing of thecontainer, and has filling and dispensing channels that are thermallysealed when not in use. The filling channel is thermally sealed using afloating ball, and the dispensing channel is thermally sealed using arolling ball. Also, the dispensing channel can be thermally sealed usinga flat, pivoting valve that opens under the force of gravity.

The present invention provides a container having a body defining aninner volume; a handle that can be secured to the body; a lid that canbe sealingly secured to the body; a passageway formed in the body, thelid or both, and connected between the inner volume and atmosphere; anda valve operably connected to the passageway. The valve provides eitherfluid communication between the inner volume and the atmosphere throughthe passageway or fluid isolation between the inner volume and theatmosphere through the passageway. The valve also operates withoutmanual actuation.

The present invention also includes a container having a body definingan inner volume; a handle that can be, and preferably is, secured to thebody; a lid that can be sealingly secured to the body; a firstpassageway formed in the body, the lid or both, and connected betweenthe inner volume and atmosphere; a first valve operably connected to thefirst passageway; a second passageway formed in the body, the lid orboth, and connected between the inner volume and the atmosphere; and asecond valve operably connected to the second Passageway. The firstvalve provides either fluid communication between the inner volume andthe atmosphere through the first passageway or fluid isolation betweenthe inner volume and the atmosphere through the first passageway. Thesecond valve provides either fluid communication between the innervolume and the atmosphere through the second passageway or fluidisolation between the inner volume and the atmosphere through the secondpassageway. Also, the first and second valves operate without manualactuation.

The present invention additionally includes a container having a bodydefining an inner volume; a lid that can be sealingly secured to thebody; a filling channel formed or provided in the lid and connectedbetween the inner volume and atmosphere; a filling valve operablyconnected to the filling channel; a dispensing channel formed orprovided in the lid and connected between the inner volume and theatmosphere; and a dispensing valve operably connected to the dispensingchannel. The filling valve has an actuated position that provides fluidcommunication between the inner volume and the atmosphere through thefilling channel and a non-actuated position that provides fluidisolation between the inner volume and the atmosphere through thefilling channel. The dispensing valve has an actuated position thatprovides fluid communication between the inner volume and the atmospherethrough the dispensing channel and a non-actuated position that providesfluid isolation between the inner volume and the atmosphere through thedispensing channel. The filling valve is actuated by the liquid beingfilled into the inner volume and the dispensing valve is actuated bytilting of the container.

The lid can have a retaining ring and a cover. The retaining ring can besecured to the body and the cover can be selectively secured to theretaining ring. The filling and dispensing channels can be formedthrough the cover. The cover can be threadingly secured to the retainingring. The valves can be actuated by gravity when the container istilted. The valves can be floating balls. The container can also have aguiding member, in which the valves are slidably connected to theguiding member to allow only substantially linear movement of thevalves. The container can additionally have a vent that provides fluidcommunication between the inner volume and the atmosphere independent ofactuation of the valves. The body can have an inner wall and an outerwall with a space or vacuum disposed between the walls.

The dispensing valve can have a sealing member that is pivotally securedadjacent to the dispensing channel. The dispensing valve can be movablebetween the actuated position in which the sealing member unseals thedispensing channel and the non-actuated position in which the sealingmember seals the dispensing channel. The sealing member can besubstantially flat. The body can have a longitudinal axis, and thefilling channel can have a first end with a first opening and a secondend with a second opening. The first opening can be disposed fartheraway from the longitudinal axis than the second opening. The containercan have a spout in fluid communication with the dispensing channel. Thespout can be disposed on the retaining ring.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a container of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1, taken alongline A-A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of acontainer of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of another alternate embodiment of the container ofthe present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 5, taken alongline A-A of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 5, taken alongline B-B of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the container of FIG. 5.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures and, in particular, to FIGS. 1 and 2, there isprovided a container generally represented by reference numeral 10.Container 10 has a body 20, a lid 100 that can be removably secured tothe body, and a handle 200 that is preferably secured to the body.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, body 20 is preferably substantiallycylindrical in shape. Body 20 has an opening 25 through which asubstance may enter and exit container 10. Preferably, body 20 has ahollow area or inner volume 27 of about 1.5 liters. However, the innervolume 27 can have a smaller or larger capacity. Opening 25 ispreferably circular but can be other shapes depending upon the shape ofbody 20. Body 20 has an outer wall 30 and an inner wall 40. Outer wall30 and inner wall 40 are separated to define therebetween a thermalspace 50. Preferably, thermal space 50 provides a vacuum between outerand inner walls 30, 40 for improved thermal insulation of container 10.Outer and inner walls 30, 40 are preferably made of stainless steel.While this embodiment uses a double wall design, i.e., outer wall 30,inner wall 40 and thermal space 50, to provide thermal insulation toinner volume 27, alternative designs can also be used to thermallyinsulate container 10.

Lid 100 can allow a substance, in this example a brewed liquid such ascoffee, to flow through the lid and into inner volume 27 of body 20without removal of the lid. Lid 100 has a rim 120 and a cover 150. Rim120 and inner wall 40 are configured and sized for sealing engagement.In the embodiment shown, rim 120 snap fits into sealing engagement withinner wall 40. A seal 125 is positioned between rim 120 and inner wall40 to prevent any leakage of liquid or loss of heat. Preferably, seal125 is a soft durometer gasket. Preferably, rim 120 and cover 150 aremade from thermoplastic material.

Cover 150 is sealingly secured to rim 120 to prevent leakage and heatloss. Preferably, cover 150 is threadingly secured to rim 120 by threadson the exterior surface of cover 150, which mate with threads on theinterior surface of opening 122 of the rim.

Cover 150 has a filling channel 160 and a dispensing channel 180. In theembodiment shown, separate channels 160, 180 are used for the fillingand dispensing operations of container 10. However, a single channel canbe used for the filling and dispensing operations of container 10. Also,more than two channels can be used for the filling and dispensingoperations of container 10.

Preferably, filling channel 160 is substantially concave having anarcuate cup-like shape. However, filling channel 160 can have othershapes including frusto-conical. Filling channel 160 has a filling valve165, a filling seat 170 and a filling hole 175. Preferably, fillingvalve 165 is a ball. Filling ball 165 has a specific gravity that allowsit to float in filling channel 160 when a liquid, in this example abrewed substance such as coffee, is introduced into the filling channel.The concave or arcuate shape of filling channel 160 facilitates holdingof the liquid as it is introduced into the filling channel and creates aslope for filling ball 165 to rest back upon filling seat 170 asdescribed below. In this embodiment, one ball is used for filling valve165. However, alternatively, a plurality of balls can also be used forfilling valve 165, as well as a plurality of filling seats 170.

Preferably, filling ball 165 is made from plastic. When filling ball 165floats, it is raised above filling seat 170. Thus, filling hole 175 isopened and the liquid flows through filling channel 160 into container10. In this embodiment, filling hole 175 is substantially cylindrical inshape to facilitate the flow of the liquid from filling channel 160through filling hole 175. Once all of the liquid is introduced intocontainer 10, filling ball 165 will cease floating and will rest backupon filling seat 170 due to the concave or arcuate shape of fillingchannel 160 and gravity. Filling hole 175 has a diameter that is smallerthan the diameter of filling ball 165 to prevent the filling ball frompassing fully through the filling hole and to allow a sealingengagement. Preferably, filling ball 165 has the same or similar shapeas filling seat 170 to allow a sealing engagement therebetween. Thiscreates a sealing engagement of filling hole 175 that prevents heat lossthrough filling channel 160.

Container 10 further has a filling orifice 550 positioned downstreamfrom filling hole 175. Preferably, filling orifice 550 is offset fromfilling hole 175 toward handle 200. Offsetting filling orifice 500 fromfilling hole 175 towards handle 200 minimizes the risk of any back flowof the liquid through filling channel 160 when container 10 is tiltedfor pouring.

Dispensing channel 180 has a dispensing valve 185, a lower seat 190, alower hole 192, an upper seat 195, and an upper hole 197. Preferably,dispensing valve 185 is a ball. However, dispensing valve 185 can alsobe other one-way valves that prevent heat loss through dispensingchannel 180. In this embodiment, one ball is used for dispensing valve185. However, alternatively, a plurality of balls can also be used fordispensing valve 185. When container 10 is in an upright position,dispensing ball 185 rests on lower seat 190. Lower hole 192 has adiameter that is smaller than the diameter of dispensing ball 185 toprevent the dispensing ball from passing fully through the lower holeand to allow a sealing engagement. Preferably, dispensing ball 185 hasthe same or similar shape as lower seat 190 to allow a sealingengagement. In this embodiment, lower seat 190 has a circular shape thatfacilitates sealing engagement with the spherical shape of dispensingball 185. This creates a sealing engagement of dispensing ball 185 andlower hole 192. Thus, heat loss through dispensing channel 180 isprevented.

Dispensing channel 180 preferably has an angled or sloped shape. Whencontainer 10 is tilted for pouring or dispensing of the liquid,dispensing ball 185 is dislodged from lower seat 192 and moves alongangled or sloped dispensing channel 180 towards upper hole 197 due togravity. Dispensing ball 185 rests upon upper seat 195 due to the shapeof dispensing channel 180 and the force of gravity (the position ofdispensing ball 185 is depicted by broken lines 185′). Upper hole 197has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of dispensing ball 185to prevent the dispensing ball from fully passing through the upperhole. Upper hole 197 and upper seat 195 have a different shape thandispensing ball 185 to allow the liquid to flow around the periphery ofthe dispensing ball and through the upper hole. Upper hole 197 and upperseat 195 can have an elliptical shape that provides a gap about theperiphery of the spherical dispensing ball 185. Thus, the liquid flowsthrough dispensing channel 180 when container 10 is tilted.

Lid 100 preferably has a vent hole 155. However, alternative ventingmeans may be utilized including positioning vent hole 155 along body 20.Vent hole 155 permits air to exit and enter container 10 during thefilling and dispensing operations. Thus, vent hole 155 preventscontainer 10 from becoming air bound or creating an internal vacuum andhindering the transfer of the liquid. Significantly, lid 100 does notrequire any opening to fill container 10 or to dispense a substance fromcontainer 10.

Handle 200 facilitates lifting and pouring of container 10. Preferably,handle 200 extends vertically along outer wall 30. More preferably,handle 200 has a curved shape that is similar to the curvature of outerwall 30. Preferably, handle 200 is made from a thermoplastic material.In this embodiment, handle 200 is secured to body 20 by a screw 210positioned at the bottom of the handle and a hook 220 positioned at thetop of the handle. Rim 120 has a receptacle (not shown) for receipt andengagement with hook 220. Alternative positioning and securing methodsfor handle 200 can also be used, including providing removability of thehandle or securing the handle to a different portion of container 10.

Container 10 also has a spout 300. Spout 300 is in fluid communicationwith dispensing channel 180 as shown clearly in FIG. 2 to facilitate anddirect the liquid as it is poured from container 10.

Container 10 provides for thermal sealing of inner volume 27 withoutmanual actuation of any valves, i.e., a user does not need to actuateany valve by hand in order to thermally seal the inner volume. Container10 allows for filling or dispensing the contents of inner volume 27while automatically thermally sealing the inner volume before and afterthe filling or dispensing operation. Lid 100 remains thermally,sealingly engaged with body 20 during either the filling or dispensingoperation.

Referring to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of the container of thepresent invention is shown and generally represented by referencenumeral 1000, with features that are similar to the features ofcontainer 10 being represented by the same reference numerals. In thisembodiment, container 1000 also has a disk 400. Disk 400 is preferablyvacuum brazed to the bottom of outer wall 30. This provides an advantageof a lower profile at the bottom of container 10 and simplifies themanufacturing process.

Referring to FIGS. 5 through 8, an alternative embodiment of thecontainer of the present invention is shown and generally represented byreference numeral 2000, with features that are similar to the featuresof container 10 being represented by the same reference numerals. Lid100 has a filling channel 1600, a filling ball 1650, a filling seat 1700and a filling hole 1750.

Similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 4, filling ball 1650 has aspecific gravity that allows it to float in filling channel 1600 when aliquid is introduced into the filling channel. When filling ball 1650floats, it is raised above filling seat 1700. Thus, filling hole 1750 isopened and the liquid flows through filling channel 1600 into container2000.

Container 2000 has a filling orifice 5500 positioned downstream fromfilling hole 1750. Preferably, filling orifice 5500 is offset fromfilling hole 1750 toward handle 200. Offsetting filling orifice 5500from filling hole 1750 towards handle 200 minimizes the risk of any backflow of the liquid through filling channel 1600 when container 2000 istilted for pouring.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, filling valve 1650 is a ball with an ovalshape. The oval shape of filling ball 1650 provides for a larger areafor floatation without the need for increasing the height of the fillingarea. The larger area of floatation allows filling ball 1650 tosealingly engage a larger filling seat 1700 that allows for increasedflow through filling hole 1750.

Filling ball 1650 has a channel 500 formed therein. Preferably, channel500 is substantially centrally located in floating ball 1650. Lid 100also has a floating projection or guiding member 510 extendingdownwardly towards floating ball 1650. Floating projection 510 ispositioned above and aligned with channel 500 to allow the projection toslide into the channel. This permits vertical movement of floating ball1650 when a liquid is introduced into filling channel 1600 but preventsor limits horizontal movement of the floating ball.

Referring to FIG. 6, lid 100 has a dispensing channel 1800, a dispensingvalve 1850, a dispensing seat 1900, and a dispensing hole 1920.Dispensing valve 1850 is a flat valve having a first end 520 and asecond end 530. First end 520 is pivotally connected to lid 100. Secondend 530 is free to swing about the pivot point of first end 520. In thisembodiment, dispensing valve 1850 has an L shape with first end 520being positioned higher than second end 530.

When container 2000 is in an upright position, dispensing valve 1850rests on dispensing seat 1900. Dispensing hole 1920 has a diameter thatis smaller than the diameter of dispensing valve 1850 to allow a sealingengagement. Thus, heat loss through dispensing channel 1800 isprevented.

When container 2000 is tilted for pouring of the liquid, the force ofgravity causes dispensing valve 1850 to swing about the pivot point offirst end 520. Thus, dispensing valve 1850 is pivoted away fromdispensing seat 1900 and dispensing hole 1920 is opened. The liquid canthen flow through dispensing channel 1800.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is onlyillustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives andmodifications can be devised by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the present invention.

Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all suchalternatives, modifications and variances as defined in the appendedclaims.

1. A container for holding a liquid comprising: a body having a hollowthat defines an inner volume; a handle being secured to said body; a lidbeing sealingly secured to said body; a passageway being formed in saidbody, said lid or both, for connection between said inner volume andatmosphere; and a valve being operably connected to said passageway,wherein said valve provides either fluid communication between saidinner volume and the atmosphere through said passageway when in a firstposition, and fluid isolation between said inner volume and theatmosphere through said passageway when in a second position, andwherein said valve operates without manual actuation, wherein said valveis a first valve and a second valve, and wherein said second valve isactuated to said first position by gravity.
 2. The container of claim 1,wherein said first valve is actuated by said liquid being filled intosaid inner volume and said second valve is actuated by tilting of thecontainer.
 3. The container of claim 2, wherein said first valve is afloating ball.
 4. The container of claim 2, further comprising a ventthat provides fluid communication between said inner volume and theatmosphere independent of actuation of said valve.
 5. The container ofclaim 4, wherein said body comprises an inner wall and an outer wall,and wherein said inner and outer walls are separated by a space having avacuum therein.
 6. A container for holding a liquid comprising: a bodyhaving a hollow that defines an inner volume; a handle being secured tosaid body; a lid being sealingly secured to said body; a firstpassageway being formed in said body, said lid or both, for connectionbetween said inner volume and atmosphere; a first valve being operablyconnected to said first passageway; a second passageway being formed insaid body, said lid or both, for connection between said inner volumeand the atmosphere; and a second valve being operably connected to saidsecond passageway, wherein said first valve provides fluid communicationbetween said inner volume and the atmosphere through said firstpassageway when in a first position, and fluid isolation between saidinner volume and the atmosphere through said first passageway when in asecond position, wherein said second valve provides either fluidcommunication between said inner volume and the atmosphere through saidsecond passageway when in a first position, and fluid isolation betweensaid inner volume and the atmosphere through said second passageway whenin a second position, wherein said second valve is actuated to saidfirst position by gravity, and wherein said first and second valvesoperate without manual actuation.
 7. The container of claim 6, whereinsaid first valve is actuated by said liquid being filled into said innervolume and said second valve is actuated by tilting of the container. 8.The container of claim 7, wherein said first valve is a floating ball.9. The container of claim 7, further comprising a vent that providesfluid communication between said inner volume and the atmosphereindependent of actuation of said first or second valves.
 10. Thecontainer of claim 9, wherein said body comprises an inner wall and anouter wall, and wherein said inner and outer walls are separated by aspace having a vacuum therein.